Episodes
Aug. 27, 2020
Fall Standardized Testing Update; Listener Q&A
In terms of the college application process, almost nothing has been impacted quite as significantly by COVID-19 as standardized testing. A testing expert joins us to share her insights into what to expect when it comes to th...
Aug. 20, 2020
Top 5 Series: Advice for Senior Year Admissions and Financial Aid Applications; Senior Timeline
This week is all about applications! Our Top 5 Series is back, and we have two top 5’s for listeners: advice for seniors heading into application season (especially in the age of COVID) and for getting organized and ready for...
Aug. 13, 2020
COVID’s Impact on SNHU; Tips for Online Learning; Using College Savings Plans to Pay College Bills
Southern New Hampshire University President Dr. Paul LeBlanc joined the show this week to offer his thoughts on how SNHU is responding to COVID-19, tips for online learning, and what he sees as the overall disruption to highe...
Aug. 6, 2020
COVID’s Impact on UCLA Admissions; Finance Conversations to Have Before Starting College
UCLA Senior Associate Director, Evaluation and International Admission Ffiona Rees joins the show this week to share information on how the UC-specific changes brought about by COVID-19 are shaping the UCLA admissions process...
July 30, 2020
Common App Essay; Tuition Payment Plans; Strengths Coaching
For most people, writing a check for the tuition bill is a frightening prospect. What if you could spread those payments out? We have information on tuition payment plans offering an installment plan. We’ll also take a close ...
July 23, 2020
Pre-Med Activities; Listener Q&A
Many students enter their undergraduate years with their sights set on medicine. We have suggestions for pre-med activities that can positively impact med school applications. In our second and third segments, we’re answering...
July 16, 2020
Maximizing Common App Activities Section; Engineering in Liberal Arts College; FERPA
One of the most important parts of the Common App is the section in which students list their activities. Involvement outside the classroom is a major selection component for many universities, and this is the primary opportu...
July 9, 2020
Essays on COVID-19; Selecting a College & Studying Abroad; Making the Most of the Summer Financially
COVID-19 looms large for all of us this year, including high school students. For many, it might be tempting to write their essays about their experiences—but should they? We’ll talk through this question and offer our perspe...
July 2, 2020
Essential Executive Function Skills; Summer Plans for Rising Seniors; Finding Scholarships by Major
There are some executive functioning skills that are essential to student success. Michael Delman, founder of Beyond BookSmart, joins us to go over those skills and share tips for how to develop them. We’ll also look at how t...
June 25, 2020
College Level Writing; Listener Q&A
For some students, one of the biggest challenges of transitioning from high school to college is adjusting to the expectations of college level writing. Cassie Hemstrom of the UC Davis University Writing Program joins the sho...
June 18, 2020
Distance Learning; Post-Graduate Years; Borrowing to Pay for College
With the pandemic disrupting in-person classes and raising the question of whether or not students will be on campus this fall, some families are investigating distance learning. Join us to learn more about who might flourish...
June 11, 2020
Adjusting Summer Plans; PSAT Scores & Scholarships; Navigating COVID-19 with Help
COVID-19 has disrupted many things in our world this year, including many high school students’ summer plans. We’ll be talking through how to adjust your activities with social distancing and cancellations in mind. For all th...
June 4, 2020
College for B/C Students & Listener Q&A
News articles, parents, and college themselves can often focus on the importance of earning As in high school classes. But the reality is that many, many of the students applying to college every year are earning Bs and Cs. W...
May 28, 2020
Online Vs On-Campus Costs & Standardized Tests & Computer Science
With next fall’s plans pretty a giant question mark, many families are trying to understand what online study versus on-campus study will do to their costs. We’ll share what you need to know about funding an online education....
May 21, 2020
9th & 10th Grade: Curriculum, Extracurriculars, & Financial Tips
This week’s show is all for the underclassmen, from mapping out a plan for your high school coursework to understanding the what and why of participating in extracurricular activities throughout your secondary school years. F...
May 14, 2020
Pass/Fail & Ideas for Med School Hopefuls & Paying for College
With schools closing and COVID-19 impacting high school instruction across the country and world, some secondary schools are moving to a pass/fail grading scale for the second half of the year. We will discuss the impact of t...
May 7, 2020
You've Made Your Choice Now What? Listener Q and A
While many seniors are still trying to figure out their final college choice for the coming fall, many in this year’s graduating class have committed to their institution. In our first segment, we’ll look what you need to do ...
April 30, 2020
Top 5 College Lists and College Cost Savings Strategies; Deferring Your Enrollnment
Already know that you’d like to defer your enrollment for next year, whether for a specific reason or just to take a break? We have guidance on the who, what, where, and when of requesting a deferral. We’ll continue our Top 5...
April 23, 2020
Pursuing ROTC; Biggest Myths: Admissions and College Finance
Interested in participating in Reserve Officer Training Corps—ROTC for short—in college? We’re welcoming Rob Kirkland, author of The Insider’s Guide to the Army ROTC Scholarship for High School Students and Their Parents, to ...
April 16, 2020
Making the Final College Decision; Financial Fit; Don't Like Your College Options?
While some colleges have pushed back their reply date from May 1 to June 1 or even later (we see you, Iowa State!), many students will need to commit to their college of choice within the next few weeks. We have suggestions f...
April 9, 2020
COVID-19 Questions and Impact on College Finance; Listener Q&A
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on high school seniors and underclassmen, and on college finance. In today’s show, we’ll be tackling the question of how to get a feel for a college campus without visiting in person, and...
April 2, 2020
Financial Aid Appeals; Finding the Best Program; One Student's Transfer Story
In a world in which everything seems to have changed overnight, what you have available to pay for college may have shifted drastically over the last few weeks. Appealing your financial aid offer may be more important than ev...
March 26, 2020
COVID-19 & the Admissions Process; Comparing Financial Aid Awards
Congrats seniors: admissions season is in the homestretch. But just when you thought you would cross the finish line with no more issues, here comes COVID-19! We’re interviewing a senior who is in the middle of receiving admi...
March 19, 2020
Computer Science Programs; Questions to Ask on Campus Tours
Computer science programs and majors grow in popularity every year. We’ll explain what they are, who they are for, and what they look for in applicants. In Office Hours, we’re talking through questions to ask on campus tours,...